Device for bringing articles submergible in water, such as marking floats and the like, back to the water surface



March 28, 1967 A. T. T. ELO DEVICE FOR BRINGING ARTICLES SUBMERGIBLE IN WATER, SUCH AS MARKING FLOATS AND THE LIKE, BACK TO THE WATER SURFACE Filed Feb. 26, 1965 INVENTO'R T. ELD

United States Patent Ofiice 3,3l,82tl Patented Mar, 28, 1967 3,310,820 DEVICE FOR BRINGING ARTICLES SUBMER- GIBLE 1N WATER, SUCH AS MARKING FLQATS AND THE LIKE, BACK TO THE WATER SURFACE Anssi T. T. Elo, Siltakatu 12B, Joensuu, Finland Filed Feb. 26, 1965, Ser. No. 435,503 11 Claims. (Cl. 9-9) The object of the present invention is a device for bringing articles submergible in water, such as marking floats and lamps and the like, which are lighter than water, back to the water surface after a predetermined time. In conventional devices of this kind the marking float is connected to a weight by means of a coiled up line, which is set free when submerged, which permits the float to rise to the water surface. Such devices are utilized for instance for marking outboard motors dropped into water by accident. These devices mostly function so that the line either is set free by the impact against the water surface or the device is provided with a water soluble element, which sets the line free after a certain time.

Further it isknown to use devices provided with timing elements to set free sea mines after a predetermined time. Such devices are actuated for instance by evplosive charges, or the line is set free by water pressure at a predetermined depth. Common for all of them is a complicated construction and a high production cost.

The object of the present invention is to provide a device of the above described kind, which because of its simple construction is reliable in operation and easy to manipulate.

The invention is primarily characterized in that the line is connected to a Watertight casing, which contains a conventional timing device such as a clockwork, further in that a movable releasing device is passed through the wall of the casing in a watertight manner, and, after a predetermined manually adjustable time, is actuated by the rotation of the clockwork shaft to set free a locking device provided at the outer surface of the casing, and thus to release the coiled up line, which permits the float to rise to the water surface while the line uncoils.

The line can either be coiled around the outer surface of the Watertight casing or around the float, but it is also possible to coil the line around a separate freely rotatable roll, which is connected either to the casing or to the float. In its simplest form the casing itself constitutes the float, but then it must be lighter than water to be able to rise to the water surface. V

The line is attached to the locking device either directly or indirectly, but always so that any movement of the locking device caused by the releasing device sets the line free. The releasing device, which preferably is actuated by the hand of the clockwork, according a preferred embodiment of the invention, makes a rotational movement, which permits a very simple watertight passage through the casing wall.

Because of the simple construction of the device according to the invention, the device can be utilized in several fields where it has so far not been possible to use such time regulated devices. As examples here are mentioned only fishing tackle and the like, which often are exposed to theft and unauthorized examining and emptying, the floats and their lines being exposed to damage by motorboats, timber floats, ice blocks, stray logs and the like, in case the floats are allowed to remain on the surface. In the event the floats are removed or kept concealed under the surface, relocation of the tackle is often possible only after awkward dragging, if at all.

It is also possible to utilize the device according to the invention for other purposes, for instance for marking explosive charges, mines etc. after a predetermined time.

In the following the invention is described more particularly with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some embodiments of the invention are shown as examples.

In the drawings, wherein similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views:

FIG. 1 is a partial section of the casing containing the clockwork and secured to the line.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the device.

FIG. 3 shows the clockwork seen from the clock face side.

FIG. 4 shows the releasing device and the locking element on a larger scale; and

FIG. 5 shows an embodiment in which the line is coiled up on the float.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-4 the symbol 1 refers to a line connecting the float to a weight such as fishing tackle. In FIG. 1 the end of the line secured to the weight is marked A, whereas the end of the line secured to the float is marked B. A watertight casing is secured to the line, the casing as a whole being designated by 2. The casing contains a timing device which, again as a whole, bears the symbol 3. To the end of the line B is connected at float (not shown) of any suitable con struction. The attachment point of the line at the tackle side is so selected that the casing will in water assume the inclined position shown in FIG. 1, that is, a position where the line easily uncoils from the casing.

The clockwork is of conventional design and consequently it is shown but schematically in FIGS. 1-4.

The watertight casing consists of a hollow body 4, which in the example is cylindrical but can have the form of any other rotational body, such as a truncated cone, or generally of a cross section such as to enable the line to uncoil easily off it. The ends of the cylinder are initially open, one end of it being closed with a watertightly secured lid 5 of a transparent material, preferably of some synthetic resin, whereas the other end can be closed with a lid 6, secured to the body 4 by means of screw threads. with a packing gasket between the cylinder end and the lid. The periphery of lid 6 is provided with protruding ribs 8 to facilitate screwing on and unscrewing the cover. Instead of a screwed lid, a smooth flanged plastic cap can be used, which is pushed into a securing position on the cylinder. At a distance from the inner edge 10' of the lid 6 the outer surface of the body is provided with a radially extending peripheral collar 9, which together with the flange edge It} defines the space available for line coils 11 to be coiled between these flanges. The collar 9 is provided with a groove 9' to guide the line coming from the tackle, to the surfaceof the cylinder. The last coil of the line leading to the float is detachably secured to the casing by means of a locking device, which will be described in more detail in the following.

The locking device consists for instance of a wireformed bent spring 12, which is secured to a bracket 13 in the end face of casing 4 in such a manner that its one end 12 presses against the face of the casing and tends to turn upwards the opposite end or arm 12 of the spring Which in the locking position is essentially parallel with the axis of easing 4, as is illustrated particularly in FIG. 4.

' Spring 12 is made for instance of acidproof steel wire of 1 mm. diameter. When it is desired to lock the line, the line or a loop 14 fixed thereto is threaded under the free end of the spring. The end of the spring is pressed downward and is secured to this position by means of a releasing device 15, which preferably is of the same material as spring 12. The releasing device consists of a straight pin 15, passing through the wall of the casing, the outer end of said pin being bent at an angle to permit its outer angle portion 15' to be turned so as to keep down the free end of spring 12. The inner end of the releasing device also is bent at an angle to form the portion 15", which extends to the path of a hand 16 of the timing device 3. After a preset time the hand will contact the portion 15", turning it around the axis of the pin 15, which causes portion 15 also to turn, whereby spring 12 is released. Because of this the end of the spring bounces up and the loop 14 is freed to slide off. After this the line, by action of the buoyancy of the float, will start to uncoil from the casing, while the tackle exerts a downward pull on it at a securing eye 17. The line uncoils off the casing at the end nearest the lid 4 while the casing spins around the eye 17. It is not necessary to tie the line to the eye, it is enough to thread it through the same.

The spring 12 and the releasing device 15, 15, 15" both are supported in the bracket 13 provided at the side of the casing and having an axial cylindrical bore 18. At the bottom of this bore is inserted a piece of suitable packing material, through which pin 15 is pushed and in which it is rotatable by the action of the hand. A packing 19 is pressed into its place by means of a plug 20 to make it settle tightly against the wall of bore 18 and the spring secures the plug in its place.

Loop 14 can be utilized to set the float free in case of a failure of the timing device. The loop is then made of material which disperses or dissolves in water, such as oxidized regenerated cellulose or some other known material, the breaking time of which can fairly accurately be predetermined by selecting the thickness of the loop material accordingly. The utilisation of such a loop is here mentioned merely as a safety measure, and, when so desired, the line can be directly secured under spring 12.

A driving shaft 21 of the timing device is charged by turning a knob 22 by hand in order to charge for instance a spiral spring. The rotational movement of shaft 21 is transmitted over pinions to an axle 24 of the hand. Hand 16 in its turn is set by turning another knob 25 on a scale plate 26 showing the hours, in a manner to cause spring 12 to be released at a certain time. Hand 16 is mounted on scale plate 26 by means of a pin 27. Symbol 23 in FIG. 1 indicates a closed space which contains the conventional clockwork.

In the drawing the line between the float and the tackle is secured at eye 17 of the casing, and is coiled around the casing at the part between the securing point and the float for as many coils as is considered necessary. The casing will now assume approximately the position shown in FIG. 1, which favors the uncoiling of the line ofi? the casing. The equilibrium position of the casing in water can easily be adjusted by securing suitable weights for instance to partitions 28 and 29. It is evident that the line can as well be coiled on the casing at the part between the securing point and the weight, in which case the locking device is situated on the downward facing side of the device. In this case the device is situated in water as if FIG. 1 were turned upside down, and the line end A secured to the float and the line end B to the weight.

In effect it is not at all necessary to use a separate float, but casing 2 can serve as a float. In this case the end of the line is secured'to the casing for instance at eye 17, and the line is coiled to the casing starting from its securing point, and is locked by means of devices 12, 15 as in FIG. 1. In this case too the casing will in water assume a position upside down in regard to FIG. 1. In all these cases the point where the weight is secured to the casing must be situated lower down to make it easy for the line to slide over the lid 6 of the casing.

Even in the case the lower end of the line is secured to a fishing tackle, a separate weight, suitably secured to the tackle, can also be used. When this method, is used the float together with the weight can be placed in a suitable place in the water, whereas the tackle itself can be positioned fairly freely even at a considerable distance away from the weight.

The mechanical timing device shown in FIGS. l-4 can be replaced by any suitable means, for instance by a device in which the hand of the clockwork actuates indirectly the releasing device. It is also possible to have the releasing device axially movable, being for instance at its outer end provided with a hook which sets free the locking pin as it is moved outward.

FIG. 5 shows the device with casing 2, which contains the clockwork and includes eye 17 and a locking device according to FIGS. 1-4. Line 1 is here threaded through the eye and then coiled up onto a float 30 until the line forms a fixed loop 31, which can be pushed tightly around the float and thus kept in place. After the loop 31 the line forms another loop 32, which is kept in place by the locking device. The casing 2 thus hangs on to the float until the loop 32 is set free, whereby the line uncoils from the outer surface of the float as the float rises to the surface. The line can be permanently attached to eye 17, but the line can as well be slidable in the eye, which permits the housing to slide as it is set free from loop 32.

In this embodiment with the two loops 31 and 32 it is also possible to coil the line up onto casing 2, in which case eye 17 should preferably be attached to the downward side and at the end of the casing where the locking device is situated, which permits the line to uncoil over the lid.

The float is here formed as a truncated cone, but can of course have any other form. In order to keep loop 31 securely in place the mantle surface of the float can for instance be provided with grooves. Instead of pushing loop 31 on to the float it can be kept in place in any desired manner, for instance be secured to the float by means of hooks.

It is obvious that the described solutions of the problem can within the limits of the invention be modified in several ways, especially as concerns the timing device and the elements actuated by the same for transmitting the movement to the outside of the casing, as well as their action.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A device for surfacing buoyant objects such as marking floats and the like, submerged in a body of fluid comprising; a water tight casing, clockwork means mounted within said casing and having a turnable hand, a coiled line situated at the exterior of and retained by said casing, a buoyant object being adapted to be connected to one end of said line, locking means mounted on said casing at the exterior thereof for locking said line and buoyant object below the surface of the fluid, said locking means including an arm beneath which a portion of said line is located, and release means for releasing said locking means responsive to said clockwork means, thereby releasing said coiled line held by said locking means to permit'the buoyant object to ascend to the surface as the line uncoils, said release means including a rotary pin extending fluid-tightly through said casing from the interior to the exterior thereof and having in the interior of said casing one angle portion situated in the path of movement of said hand to be turned thereby and having at the exterior of said casing a second angle portion preventing movement of said portion of said line from beneath said arm away from the latter until said pin is turned by said hand.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the line is wound around the circumference of said casing.

3. The device according to claim 2, wherein said casing includes a pair of annular flanges mounted on its periphery for defining a spool to contain the coiled line;

5 I 4. The device according to claim 1, wherein said coil line includes a loop forming said portion of said line releasably retained by said locking means, said loop forming an extension of the line fixed to the buoyant object.

5. The device as recited in claim 4, wherein said arm of said locking means comprises a wire spring maintained under tension by said second angle portion of said pin at the exterior of said casing and extending through said loop.

6. The device as recited in claim 1, wherein a packing is carried by said casing and said release means pin passes through said packing.

7. A device as recited in claim 1, wherein a loop constructed of a material soluble in the fluid and secured to and forming said portion of said line extends beneath said arm so as to dissolve and release the line from said casing after a predetermined period of time.

8. The device as recited in claim 1, wherein said casing has positive buoyancy and serves as said buoyant object and said coiled line is adapted to be coupled to a weight.

9. The device recited in claim 1, wherein said casing includes a removable lid to provide access to said clockwork means.

10. The device as recited in claim 1, wherein in said casing includes an eyelet having the free end of the coiled line secured thereto.

11. The device according to claim 1, wherein said hand of said clockwork means is adjustable for setting the time which elapses before actuating said releasing means.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,123,346 1/1915 Miller 743.54 1,333,649 3/1920 Wilcox 74 -3.54 2,531,586 11/1950 Ramsey 99 2,791,785 5/1957 Metts 99 MILTON BUCHLER, Primary Examiner.

T. MAJOR, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A DEVICE FOR SURFACING BUOYANT OBJECTS SUCH AS MARKING FLOATS AND THE LIKE, SUBMERGED IN A BODY OF FLUID COMPRISING; A WATER TIGHT CASING, CLOCKWORK MEANS MOUNTED WITHIN SAID CASING AND HAVING A TURNABLE HAND, A COILED LINE SITUATED AT THE EXTERIOR OF AND RETAINED BY SAID CASING, A BUOYANT OBJECT BEING ADAPTED TO BE CONNECTED TO ONE END OF SAID LINE, LOCKING MEANS MOUNTED ON SAID CASING AT THE EXTERIOR THEREOF FOR LOCKING SAID LINE AND BUOYANT OBJECT BELOW THE SURFACE OF THE FLUID, SAID LOCKING MEANS INCLUDING AN ARM BENEATH WHICH A PORTION OF SAID LINE IS LOCATED, AND RELEASE MEANS FOR RELEASING SAID LOCKING MEANS RESPONSIVE TO SAID CLOCKWORK MEANS, THEREBY RELEASING SAID COILED LINE HELD BY SAID LOCKING MEANS TO PERMIT THE BUOYANT OBJECT TO ASCEND TO THE SURFACE AS THE LINE UNCOILS, SAID RELEASE MEANS INCLUDING A ROTARY PIN EXTENDING FLUID-TIGHTLY THROUGH SAID CASING FROM THE INTERIOR TO THE EXTERIOR THEREOF AND HAVING IN THE INTERIOR OF SAID CASING ONE ANGLE PORTION SITUATED IN THE PATH OF MOVEMENT OF SAID HAND TO BE TURNED THEREBY AND HAVING AT THE EXTERIOR OF SAID CASING A SECOND ANGLE PORTION PREVENTING MOVEMENT OF SAID PORTION OF SAID LINE FROM BENEATH SAID ARM AWAY FROM THE LATTER UNTIL SAID PIN IS TURNED BY SAID HAND. 